The open coffin of Pope Francis made its solemn procession to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, as thousands gathered to pay their respects to the late pontiff.
Amid the tolling of St. Peter’s bells, the coffin departed from Casa Santa Marta — the humble Vatican residence where Pope Francis lived and passed away — carried by pallbearers as Swiss Guards in full ceremonial dress marched alongside.
Eight Swiss Guards, bearing staffs, accompanied the wooden coffin through St. Peter’s Square, where tens of thousands of mourners and faithful had assembled. The solemn procession was led by dozens of cardinals dressed in vivid red vestments, followed by priests in choir dress and cassocks, some holding candles, and groups of nuns.
The Argentine-born pope died on Monday at the age of 88 following complications from a stroke, coma, and heart failure.
Pope Francis’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday and is expected to draw massive crowds, dignitaries, and religious leaders from around the world to Vatican City for what promises to be one of the most significant papal funerals in modern history.
